Saima Wazed receives international award for fighting autism

Saima Wazed Hossain has been awarded the International Champion Award for her committed support to autism care and research and for creating awareness globally about the needs of the people affected by neuro-developmental disorder.

Shema Kolainu, a New York based School and Center for Children with Autism, awarded Saima for her relentless and innovative works for the wellbeing of the persons with autism, said a press release from the permanent mission of Bangladesh in the UN received here today.

Established in 1998 Shema Kolainu is the first school and centre for children in Autism in New York. Currently, around one thousand children benefit from Shema Kolainu's centre and home-based services and programmes, available to children on the autism spectrum from all communities, irrespective of their culture creed and faith in all five boroughs of New York City.

Saima, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Member WHO's Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health and Chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism of Bangladesh, has been the inspirational figure at the international level who have devoted themselves for the question of Autism. 

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Masud Bin Momen received the award from Shema Kolainu and its international affiliate 'ICare4Autism' on behalf of Saima at a ceremony held Tuesday at the Princeton Club during an annual legislative breakfast. Ambassador Masud also read out a message of Saima at the award giving ceremony. 

'I am honoured by this recognition by Shema Kolainu", Saima said in her message. 

She also noted that she is working towards creating such well-planned comprehensive training for both care givers and other professionals in Bangladesh and the slushy East Asia region. 

"Autism transcends all religious, cultural and socio-economic boundaries so services and programmes are needed to as well," said. 

While accepting the award Ambassador Masud said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in ensuring the rights and well-being of persons with autism and other neuro-developmental disorders.

Earlier WHO declared Saima Wazed Hossain a "globally renowned champion for the cause of autism spectrum disorder". Last month WHO South-East Asia Region had appointed Saima Wazed Hossain as 'goodwill ambassador for autism' in the region of 11 countries. 

Saima facilitated the 'Thimphu Declaration' on autism and other neuro-developmental disorders at an international conference in Bhutan in April 2017. 

In recognition of her work for advancing autism in Bangladesh, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office had honoured her with the Excellence in Public Health Award in September 2014. Her efforts in adopting Dhaka Declaration and formation of the South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) brought autism to the forefront in our region and beyond. 

At the award giving ceremony, Ambassador Masud also noted that Bangladesh took lead in the adoption of the first UN General Assembly Resolution 67/82 entitled, 'Addressing the Socio-economic Needs of Individuals, Families and Societies living with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities' on 12 December 2012. 

He said Bangladesh can indeed take pride in the kind of national awareness and planning as well as international advocacy for autism that it has invested in over the last few years. 

Globally, autism affects about 160 in 10,000 people. Children with autism in low-and middle-income countries often do not get the medical attention and care they need. 

Besides Saima, New York City Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Mark Levine, Jennie Berger from Community Liaison Office of New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and a nine years old Autistic boy Colbi Heard also received award. 

Colbi Heard saved a toddler from drowning at a community pool in Florida when Colbi noticed a young boy struggling to swim and Colbi rescued the boy from the water, saving his life before any adults had even noticed the incident. 

The Art works of Autistic Children of Shema Kolainu, a school and Center for Children with Autism have been given as the award to all the award winners.

Source: bss